The pushover offended a top-tier boss

Ye Zhenzhen carried her lunchbox and walked towards the cafeteria with Yang Guanyu. The two chatted as they walked, one after the other. Ye Zhenzhen would say something, and Yang Guanyu would chime in, always finding something to talk about.

Perhaps it's because they came from the same place, both were exam-takers from small towns, and relied on their studies to go from that small county to a bigger world. Yang Guanyu went further and stood higher than her, but he was unpretentious, like a reliable senior, gentle and humble.

Yang Guanyu told her about Nan Jing's recent plans: the newly built tourist highway, the ancient village that was being renovated, and the guesthouse that was about to open. Ye Zhenzhen listened with great interest.

She ate happily and laughed happily.

The door to the lounge was ajar.

Several plates of stir-fried dishes were laid out in front of Zhou Huaijin, but his face was a little dark.

Lin Rui keenly noticed that the opposite seat was empty.

Zhou Huaijin ate a couple of bites of rice and then put down his chopsticks.

"Where is Ye Zhenzhen?"

Lin Rui hesitated for a moment: "Teacher Ye... seems to have been eating in the cafeteria with County Chief Yang."

Zhou Huaijin's breathing became heavier, and he said in a deep voice:

"Call her over."

Ye Zhenzhen felt uneasy every time she saw Secretary Lin calling, because it was never a good thing.

"Secretary Lin, what's wrong?"

"Teacher Ye, the supervisor wants to see you."

Ye Zhenzhen cursed inwardly, "What are you doing in the middle of the day!"

Ye Zhenzhen hung up the phone and quickly ate a few dumplings.

"Senior, I'm full. My boss needs to see me, so I'll go now."

Yang Guanyu nodded upon hearing this: "Okay, go ahead."

He stood up as well: "I was just about to go see my grandfather."

"Is your grandfather in Bin City?" Ye Zhenzhen asked casually.

"Yes, he has Alzheimer's disease and his health is not very good. The medical conditions in Nan Jing are limited, so he was transferred to a nursing home in Bin City this year. I am busy with work and cannot go back to see him often, so I can only come here when I have time."

"Please give my regards to Grandpa. Send me the address; I'll visit him when I have time," Ye Zhenzhen said.

"Okay, thank you. Go on with your work." Yang Guanyu waved to him.

Ye Zhenzhen carried the lunchbox back to the office quickly, picked up the bowl of dumplings she had chosen, and knocked on Zhou Huaijin's door.

"Enter."

She pushed open the door and went in, a smile on her face.

The untouched lunch sat on the corner of the table, already cold.

"Boss, why haven't you eaten yet?"

He looked up and glanced at her.

"You seem to be enjoying your meal quite a bit."

His tone was indifferent, but Ye Zhenzhen understood the underlying meaning.

She walked over with a smile: "My mom made dumplings and asked County Magistrate Yang to bring them over. He hadn't eaten yet, so I invited him to stay for a meal. I couldn't let him come all this way and not even get a bite to eat, could I?"

She put down the lunchbox in her hand and picked up a pair of chopsticks:

"I picked these out especially for you; my mom's dumplings are delicious."

She picked up a dumpling from her lunchbox and held it to his mouth.

"This one is corn and shrimp, would you like to try one?"

"Ah—open your mouth."

Zhou Huaijin reluctantly opened his mouth.

"Is it delicious?" Ye Zhenzhen's eyes sparkled as she picked up another one. "This one has fennel and pork. I love it, but many people from other places can't get used to it. Can you eat it?"

Zhou Huaijin chewed twice and swallowed.

"People in Beijing also eat this filling."

"Really!" Ye Zhenzhen's lips curled up. "Then we can eat together again."

She couldn't resist eating one herself, squinting her eyes and exclaiming, "Isn't it especially delicious? My mom is amazing at making fillings. I've loved her dumplings since I was little; nothing outside can compare."

After eating a few dumplings, Zhou Huaijin's expression softened somewhat.

He remembered to save the best food for him, so he wasn't particularly heartless.

He composed himself and spoke in a cold voice.

"Be more mindful of your public image in the future."

Ye Zhenzhen was taken aback for a moment: "Huh? Then I'll keep my distance from you from now on."

"I wasn't talking about myself," Zhou Huaijin said, displeased again.

"When people eat together in public, they chat and laugh. He is the head of a county, and there are many people talking, especially at work."

Ye Zhenzhen understood; he was referring to Yang Guanyu.

"Okay..." she drawled, nodding obediently.

But what she was really thinking was, why is he making such a fuss? It's just a meal, it's not like we're doing anything shameful.

Sigh, let's appease them first.

She acts like a kindergarten teacher all day long.

-

In the afternoon, the landlord messaged her, urging her to pay the rent. Ye Zhenzhen then remembered that she hadn't vacated the rented apartment yet. After thinking about it, she decided to just cancel the lease. She didn't really dare to go back to that place now.

She's staying at Yuyuan for now, and will move in once Fengqiyuan is finished.

So she took half a day off to go back and cancel her lease.

Pushing open the door to the rented room, a stale, stuffy air, as if no one had lived there for a long time, rushed out. A thin layer of dust covered the table. She stood in the doorway, looking at the small room she had lived in for two years. Forty square meters, one bedroom and one living room.

She suddenly felt that the room had become much smaller. Or perhaps her perspective had broadened.

Ye Zhenzhen sighed and began packing her things.

Actually, many of her things are already in Yu Garden; there are still some old books and clothes here.

Halfway through packing, she suddenly remembered that last night she had angrily decided to move her things out of Yuyuan, thinking she would never come back. But today she was moving everything over there.

She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

She had lived in this rented apartment for two years; it was always a mess, and she never really bothered to tidy it up. Now that she was moving out, she was actually a little reluctant to leave.

She dragged the packed suitcase downstairs and stood by the roadside for a while while waiting for the car. The early spring wind still carried a chill.

Suddenly, a very faint, soft, baby-like meow reached her ears.

Ye Zhenzhen looked down and saw a small white kitten emerge from the flower bed. Its body was small, its fur covered in dust and withered leaves, and its round, light blue eyes looked at her timidly. The kitten took two steps, its legs trembling, and then meowed softly.

Ye Zhenzhen's heart softened immediately.

She crouched down and reached out her hand. The kitten didn't run away; instead, it wobbled towards her and rubbed its little head against her fingers.

"Where did you come from?" she asked softly, scratching the kitten's chin with her finger.

"Are you homeless?"

The kitten was so thin it was skin and bones, its belly was sunken, and it kept meowing at her feet.

"Are you hungry? But I didn't bring any food." Ye Zhenzhen searched her bag thoroughly but couldn't find anything to eat.

Just as the car was about to arrive, the kitten was still meowing and tugging at her trouser leg.

Ye Zhenzhen's heart was shattered by each cry.

She bit her lip and made a decision. She lowered her head and looked earnestly at the little white cat: "Meow, now you have a chance to turn your life around. Do you want to live in a big villa?"

The kitten tilted its head and looked at her.

"If we're going, you'd better come with me obediently and not run around, okay?"